In Depth: America's Top 25 Towns To Live Well

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

25. Kendall, Fla.

Population: 74,681 Location: A southwest suburb of Miami, out the Don Shula Expressway, and on even parallel with Key Biscayne. Median income: $62,887

Strongest categories: Kendall performs well by our sole proprietors and start-ups rankings, where it boasts 0.12 and 0.0041 per capita, respectively. Both scores rank in the top 10.

Drawbacks: There isn't a critical mass of high-level research universities nearby, and Kendall does poorly in attracting young and educated people. Venture capital money is scarce, and with an average commute of 30 minutes, residents spend a lot of time on the road.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

24. Santa Fe, N.M.

Population: 67,391 Location: The capital of New Mexico, and in the north of the state, Santa Fe has a small-town feel, a strong art scene and easy access to nearby mountains. Median income: $49,238

Strongest categories: Santa Fe ranks high in measures of per capita cultural institutions and museums. Its proximity to universities and Los Alamos National Laboratory helps it rank well (17th) in our measures of workers employed in BLS-defined highly skilled professions such as computer, mathematical, and engineering and science professions.

Drawbacks: Only 4% of the labor force is made up of young and educated workers, which makes labor costs higher for business start-ups who must rely on more seasoned professionals.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

23. Potomac, Md.

Strongest categories: Potomac's got a highly educated, albeit older, workforce: 67% of those in the labor pool qualify as white collar, professional workers based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics definitions. This places them in the top 10 by that measure.

Drawbacks: It's a classic suburb. There are few bars, restaurants and cultural attractions, and it's not one of the inner D.C., suburbs. Its location means residents have an average commute of 27 minutes.

Data provided by ZoomProspector.com

Courtesy of Sugar Land

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

22. Sugar Land, Texas

Population: 75,963 Location: A southwest suburb of Houston, connected to the city by route 59. Median income: $103,997

Strongest categories: As cost of living in Texas is lower than coastal states, a six figure salary goes far. There's also $132 venture capital dollars per capita. What's more, its score of 0.0014 patents per capita is the highest of the southwest areas measured.

Drawbacks: What keeps it from placing higher on the list are its small businesses per capita score—low at 0.02 per capita--and its distance from cultural institutions and museums.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

21. Tustin, Calif.

Population: 68,238 Location: South of Los Angeles and east of Long Beach, Tustin is in Orange County, but is not an easy drive to the beach. Median income: $71,284

Strongest categories: The city does well by sole-proprietor and start-up figures, having 0.08 and 0.0034 per capita, which rank in the top 10% of towns measured. That also means many residents are working in local companies, which, as a result, gives Tustin citizens an average 22 minute commute, one of the shortest in the L.A. area.

Drawbacks:The biggest drawback for Tustin is that only 38% of residents possess a bachelor's degree, ranking it toward the bottom of towns measured.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

20. Silver Spring, Md.

Strongest categories:BLS-defined highly skilled workers with backgrounds in technology, mathematics or engineering make up 23% of the labor force, and they often filter through well performing start-ups, which garnish $2,712 venture capital dollars per capita, one of the highest rates on our list.

Drawbacks: Few of the young and highly educated workers in the D.C., area live in Silver Spring--only 6% are between 25-34 and possess a bachelor's degree--and the median income is low relative to other D.C., suburbs in Maryland.

Data provided by ZoomProspector.com

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

19. Davis, Calif.

Population: 68,660 Location: Between Sacramento and the Bay Area, though definitely solidly part of the Sacramento metro area. Median income: $52,322

Strongest categories: Davis attracts a high share of people with a bachelor's degree or higher (70%) and international workers with education (who represent 6% of the adult labor force). A college town, it's stocked stocked with plenty of restaurants and bars.

Drawbacks: It's a decent hike to Northern California business capitals San Francisco and San Jose. It lacks the world-class entertainment those cities regularly attract. Further, Californians earning $52,322 have a difficult time making ends meet.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

18. Evanston, Ill.

Population: 70,939 Location: North of Chicago, and on the shores of Lake Michigan Median income: $70,274

Strongest categories: Evanston is home to Northwestern University, which adds to its dynamic, inventive environment. It's also 13 miles from Chicago, home to world-class businesses. BLS-defined highly skilled workers represent 29% of the labor pool, and the town has $28 venture capital dollars per person.

Drawbacks: There aren't that many start-ups in the nearby area (only 0.0024 per capita), which puts it solidly in the middle of towns measured.

Data provided by ZoomProspector.com

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

17. Germantown, Md.

Strongest categories: Germantown performs very well in our venture capital ranking, hauling in $2,110 per person. Its bucolic nature does well to attract highly skilled professionals, including those from other countries (who make up 10% of the labor force).

Drawbacks: It's 30 miles outside of Washington, which makes it a trek for those commuting to the District.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

15. Sandy Springs, Ga.

Population: 97,215 Location: Not to be confused with Sandy Springs, Md., which is a D.C., suburb, Sandy Springs, Ga., is a north Atlanta suburb 15 miles from downtown. Median income: $74,192

Strongest categories: This is a sole proprietor- and small business-friendly place--it has 0.08 and 0.06 of each per capita, which are in the top 10% of towns measured. That helps keep the commute short--it's only 23 minutes on average. What's more, 63% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Drawbacks: The area ranks toward the bottom when it comes to patent generation and venture capital funding.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

14. Santa Monica, Calif.

Population: 89,060 Location: On the beach, north of Los Angeles. Median income: $61,410

Strongest categories: If you could monetize sunshine and waves, Santa Monica would perform better, but at 14th, it's still one of the most desirable places in the country. Highly skilled workers comprise 27% of the workforce and start-up businesses draw $2,371 in per capita venture capital funding. It also has one of the highest restaurant and bar rankings on our list.

Drawbacks: The median income is relatively low, and only 54% of Santa Monica residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, which ranks it well below many of the other places on our list.

Data provided by ZoomProspector.com

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

13. North Potomac, Md.

Population: 29,909 Location: A northwest D.C., suburb, North Potomac is slightly farther out than more familiar suburbs like
Chevy Chase and Bethesda. Median income: $142,455

Strongest categories: North Potomac differs from Potomac because it has a slightly higher share of people with a bachelor's degree or higher and of BLS-defined highly skilled workers, which represent 70% of the labor pool.

Drawbacks: The most obvious are the average 30 minute commute and the slim number of patents generated (0.006 per capita), which, taken together, help keep it out of the top 10.

Data provided by ZoomProspector.com

Courtesy of the Town of Hillsborough

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

12. Hillsborough, Calif.

Population: 10,553 Location: In San Mateo County, south of San Francisco and north of San Jose. Median income: $320,715

Strongest categories: Like many of its peninsula neighbors, Hillsborough's proximity to San Francisco and Silicon Valley means there are plenty of high-paying jobs in emerging fields.

Drawbacks: There aren't many small businesses or start-ups in Hillsborough itself. It has one of the top five most-educated labor pools based on our analysis, but little in-town business activity.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

11. Belmont, Calif.

Population: 24,625 Location: South of Hillsborough, and in between San Francisco and San Jose. Median income: $102,466

Strongest categories: Belmont residents may not have as much cash on hand as their northern neighbors in Hillsborough, but there are far more businesses emerging there. Local firms have attracted $878 per capita in venture funding, and the city scores in the top quarter for its number of restaurants and bars.

Drawbacks: While its scores for BLS-defined professionals and business start-ups are stronger than most, they simply aren't high enough to place Belmont in the top 10.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

10. Foster City, Calif.

Population: $29,081 Location: South of San Francisco and north of Redwood City Median income: $119,780

Strongest categories: Home to many top companies, big and small, including Visa International, Sony Computer Entertainment America and Sling Media, Foster City ranks first on our list for its share of highly skilled workers, particularly with a background in tech, and in the top five for its per capita number of patents.

Drawbacks: There isn't much happening in Foster City. There are plenty of office parks, but it offers few cultural institutions and restaurants.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

9. Coral Gables, Fla.

Strongest categories: Coral Gables ranks third for its number of small businesses per capita. Nearby University of Miami helps both its start-up score--tied for fourth overall--and the number of patents per capita. While it ranks in the middle of the pack for patents, it's No. 1 in Florida. Weather and restaurants are also a plus, as are the entertainment options the university attracts.

Drawbacks: While there are plenty of BLS-defined professionals here, Coral Gables lags behind others on our list. Further, it has a low share of young and educated workers, suggesting that Miami grads don't stick around into their mid-20s through 30s.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

8. Rockville, Md.

Strongest categories: Its per capita venture capital investment of $3,130 is the highest of any town outside California, which isn't surprising when you consider that the 0.0018 patents per capita ranking places it firmly in the top five by that measure.

Drawbacks: Like many of the D.C., suburbs on this list, Rockville lacks easy access to cosmopolitan city amenities, museums and universities; D.C. is a 30-40 minute drive away.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

7. Columbia, Md.

Population: 97,506 Location: One of the nation's first planned communities, Columbia is approximately halfway between Washington D.C., and Baltimore, Md. Median income: $91,735

Strongest categories: Quality of life factors like schools, access to music venues and restaurants all work in Columbia's favor. Venture capital comes out to $594 per capita, and BLS-defined professionals account for 27% of labor, the fourth highest of towns measured.

Drawbacks: While there are a lot of sole proprietors and small businesses, Columbia ranks outside the top five cities on our list when it comes to start-ups and patents.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

6. Newton, Mass.

Population: 81,975 Location: A Boston suburb to the west of the city. Median income: $109,567

Strongest categories: Boston has one of the nation's highest concentrations of research universities and biomedical firms, and the intellectual property associated with those pillars spills into businesses in the surrounding area. Newton is one major beneficiary. It has one of the country's most highly skilled workforces, as defined by the BLS, and ranks eighth of places measured for its number of people with bachelor's degrees or better (71%).

Drawbacks: Incomes aren't quite as high as some other high-powered places on our list, and venture capital funding isn't as abundant, at only $608 per capita.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

5. Cupertino, Calif.

Population: 50,572 Location: South of San Francisco and west of San Jose. Median income: $128,149

Strongest categories: A great start-up environment in the heart of the Silicon Valley and home to a number of semiconductor and technology companies, most notably Apple, Cupertino succeeds as a mix of a place for established businesses and small shops. It ranks in the top 10 for sole proprietors and small businesses per capita.

Drawbacks: While you certainly can't complain about the warm climate, Cupertino simply didn't do as well as the top cities on our list even in the categories considered its strengths.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

4. Mountain View, Calif.

Population: 70,960 Location: South of Palo Alto on the Bay Area peninsula. Median income: $88,736

Strongest categories: While there's plenty more to Mountain View, the average commute time of 20 minutes is a rarely found pleasure of Bay Area living. Credit Mountain View's standing as our most active venture capital markets, for an abundance of entrepreneurs running their own businesses, which in turn means they don't have to commute to bigger cities like San Jose and San Francisco.

Drawbacks:There aren't a lot of restaurants, music venues, museums or cultural attractions in Mountain View, though it isn't too far for residents to trek 15 miles into San Jose.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

3. Fairfax, Va.

Strongest categories: A great place for entrepreneurs, Fairfax has the second highest number of sole-proprietors of any place measured on our list and as a result, its start-ups per capita ranks first.

Drawbacks: The measures keeping Fairfax out of the top spot are its entertainment and cultural offerings as well as the number of young and educated people. Fairfax is a great place to raise a family and start a business, but few highly educated people ages 25-34 call it home.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

2. Doral, Fla.

Strongest categories: Doral is probably most famous for its world-class golf courses and resorts, but it's also a vibrant center of multinational importing and exporting businesses due to its proximity to the Miami airport. It ranks second for the number of sole proprietors running their own business and third for its share of young and educated workers. Thanks to the resort communities and high-end clientele, it also ranks toward the top for restaurants per capita.

Drawbacks: While there is plenty of entrepreneurial and smal- business activity in Doral, there aren't many cutting-edge companies developing new technologies or creating new fields. Its rank for venture capital cash and patents are low, despite its third place ranking for start-ups.

To determine the best towns in which to live well, Forbes teamed with ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. Because geographical definitions range widely, we used the term "town" to describe every city, town, borough or Census-designated-place under 100,000 people. To rank each town, we looked at median income; average commute; distance to highways and airports; per capita venture capital funding; per capita number of small businesses, sole-proprietorships and start-ups; the percentage of the population with bachelor's degrees or higher; the share of professional-level workers as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); the percentage of young and educated people, or those 25-34 with a bachelor's degree or higher; and the percentage of foreign-born residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. We also measured the per capita number of restaurants, bars, museums and cultural institutions.

1. Boulder, Colo.

Strongest categories: Boulder is a consistent high performer in all our measures. The city's businesses bring in $1,165 in per capita venture capital funding; it ranks fourth for its young and educated population of those 25-34 years old, in the top 5% for its patents per capita, second for its number of sole proprietors, fourth for its number of museums and cultural institutions and has an average commute of 17 minutes.

Drawbacks: If you don't like snow, this might not be the place for you.